j6 SWARMS. 



than the fmall number of bees can fupply 

 the maggots with fuflenance ; and they will 

 therefore perifh, and be caft out. This is a 

 difad vantage whkh arifes from keeping weak 

 flocks. 



To judge of the fulnefs of a hive in May, 

 obferve the numbers of bees that enter the 

 refpe&ive hives, and form an eflimate. 



Queens are not equally fruitful. 

 While fome breed flowly or not at all, others 

 will fpeedily increafe in prodigious num- 

 bers. Sterile queens mould be exchanged 

 for the fpare queen of a fwarm ; or at tak- 

 ing up time deftroyed, and a new flock 

 fubflituted. 



From the middle of May to the middle of 

 June is the moll advantageous time for 

 fwarming ; but they often rife, not only at 

 the beginning of April, or fooner, but alfo 

 as late as the 20th of Auguft ; counties and 

 feafons being fo very various. Very early 

 ones are feldom large enough to conflitute 

 a good flock; and are in danger of perifh- 

 ing if bad weather fucceeds. Ferv late 

 ones, though moftly large, will often not 

 have fufficient time to lay up an ade- 

 quate 



